Coal-mining apparatus and method



Oct. 14, 1930. N. n. LEVIN COAL MINING APPARATUS AND METHOD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' Filed Jan. 18, 1926 V N am U A A w. A u. w AVYAV I 3.31 A 2, x H NRA m A. 1. I w 9 A. JP I v 7 A I in & I v A v (P N .A.... NI I|||l|1|l|||..l.|. .|..|.L.. n ll 7 I I I 11 I II GAM- doum 357% Oct: '14, 1930. N. o. LEVIN 4 ,297

COAL MINING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Jan. 18, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 6

Mr O

Patented Oct. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE NILS n. LEVIN, on ooLUMBUs, onro, ASSIGNOR TO THE JEFFREY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, or COLUMBUS, OHIO, A CORPORATION or onro 7 QQAL-MINING APPARATUS AND METHOD Application filed January 18, 1926.- Serial No. 82,106.

The present application relates to certain new and useful improvements in coal mining apparatus andmethods, and particularly to a method and apparatus whereby disrupted coal is removed and a succeeding increment is simultaneously kerfed in a unitary procedure.

The especial object of'this invention is to provide devices adapted to form akerf at the base of the vein preparatory to dislodging material therefrom, and to simultaneously transfer the material dislodged from above a previously formed kerf to a suitable conveyor for transportation away from the working face.

The means whereby I attain this object are fully set forth in the following specification andillustrated in the accompanying draw- 1ngs:

Fig. 1, is a plan view of one embodiment of my invention certain parts being omitted to reveal other parts. Fig. 2, is a side elevation of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3, is a front elevation of the cutting and gathering mechanism.

Fig. 4, is a transverse sectional View taken along the line IV'IV of Fig. 1, certain parts being omitted to simplify the draw- Fig. '5, is a fragmentary sectional view along the line VV of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6, is a diagrammatic plan view of the devices of this present invention showing the'working relation of the machine with the coal body and with a conveyor adapted to carry away the dislodged coal.

Figs. 7 and 8, are diagrammatic illustrations of the method of operating the machine.

Like numerals refer to similar parts in the several figures. I

In the drawings I have shown, for purpose of illustration, one embodiment of my invention wherein the cutting and gathering mechanism is' mounted upon a carriage reciprocable in a guide'frame adapted to be heldin fixed relation to the coal body during the cutting and gathering operation, or to slide over'the mine floor to reposition the machine after each increment of effective work.

As here shown the guide frame comprises a bottom plate or pan 1 adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor. Upon the pan 1 are arranged the cross ties 2, 3 and 4 upon the tops of which are mounted the longitudinally extending guide bars 5, and these members are securely oined to form a rigid structure.

Reciprocable in the guide frame is a carriage comprising the center rail 6 and the side rails 7 which are joined together at their forward ends by. the head casting 8, and at their rear ends .by the machine frame. casting 9. Upon the machine frame 9 is mounted the power devices by which the machine is actuated. The center rail 6 slidably fits in an aperture of the forward cross tie 2, and the machine frame 9 is provided with laterally extending lugs 10 which engage the guide bars 5, thereby forming connections between the carriage and the guide frame which are rigid against lateral displacement while permitting freedom of longitudinal movement.

Formed on the under side of the guide bars 5 are gear racks 11 which are engaged by the feed pinions 12 mounted upon the transversely extending feed shaft 13. The

feed shaft 13 is journaled in suitable bearings 14: of the machine frame, and is connected through suitable clutches and gearing with the motor 15. The motor 15 may be of any preferred type suitable to the conditions under which the machine operates. For purposes of illustration I have here shown an electric motor which receives its actuating current from any convenient source of electric supply through a flexible conductor cable, not shown in the drawing, and'is controlled through suitable controlling devices which are not illustrated. As such devices are well understood in the mining machine art, and as they form no part in the present invention, their illustration and description is not thought to be required at this time. A suitable clutch controlling lever 16 is conveniently arranged for the manipulation of the clutches by which the wardly of the guide frame, and when said lever is at the opposite extremity of its me t h .p n on 12 wi l re ol e i a direction to cause the movement of the carriage in the opposite direction relative to the-guide frame; When the-lever. 216 is in its central posit-ion the pinion's'12 are disconnected from the motive power, and the 'carriage will remain motionless] As gearing of this character iswell understood in the mining machine art further description at this time is not thought to be required,

Fixed to the head casting 8 of the recipe ti g ar a an t din a rs s t front of the machine, are the cutting and gathering elements. The cutting element consists of a cutter bar l'i along the lateral edgeslfof which travels a cutter chain 1 8 havingrenewa'ble cutter bits 19. adapted to engage the coal bodv to form a kerf therein, The gathering element comprises one or more guide bars 20, similar in construction to the cutter bar 17., and each having an endless chain 21, similar toflthe cutterchain 18, provided with renewable material engaging elements 22 which may be similar. to the cutter bits lorwhichmaybe of different form 11101 6 pirfectly meet the "conditions of service.

' Thecutter bar 17 is positioned closely ad:

, jacent. the mine floor. and projects beyond one side of the machine frame. The gather ingbars 20 extend parallel to and are vertically spaced from'the cutter. bar, and are of a length substantially equal to the width of the guide frame of the machine. The cutter chain 18 and the gathering chains 21 are each engaged and'actuated by a suitable sprocket wheel, not shown in the drawings, fixed to the vertically, disposed power shaft 23 which supported 'in suitable journal hearings 2490f the .headcasting- 8. To the upper "end of theshaft 23 is fixed .a sprocket wheel 25 which engages the endless power transmitting chain 26.. The chain 26 is actuated by a: sprocket wheel 27 fixed to the vertical counter shaft 28 which isrotata-ble in suitable journal bearings of the machine frame, a d is r amed hrough a Suitable train of power transmitting devices with the armature of the electric motor 15. f

In operation the machine is placed upon the floorat the end of. a coal facewith i116 longitudinal lines of the guide frame xtendin parallelt and. e y adjacen the projected line ofs'aid face, the projecting end of the cutter. bar. 17 extending be-. r ee-sair line e h r ck. 2 is f ts le wn eases-ins he so ketao .Of th em sand it impel. and engagingv the Inna 11.10151 ie rim-angers mine floor parallel to the coal face and closely-adjacenttheouter-side of the guide frame.

In the drawings'l have shown, for purposes of illustration, such a conveyor which comprises a bottom plate 33 and a guide frame 34 having guideways in which travels the endles's chain 35 To the chain 35 is fixed laterally. .proj ecting material I engaging scrap- Pe fl 36 dap ed. o prope mat ia along the surface of thebottom plate 33. A conveyor such as is here'illustrated is fully disclosed in my co-pending application, Se rial No. 7 35,583, filed September. 3, 1924, and since the construction of this conveyor'forms no part of the present invention, .f -urther illustration and description is not thought to be required at this timef f I i When the motor 15 is actuated, power will be transmitted through-the endless chain 26 to the vertical shaft 23 to actuate the cutter chain 18. By propermanipulation of the clutch lever 16 the feed pinions-12. will be caused-to rotate in a direction to. piishthe carriage forward, causing the cutter. bits 19 to cut a kerf in the coal body. When the carriage has moved forward to the limitof its reciprocation, thecluteh. lever 16 will be moved to its central, orneutral position, the anchor jacks 29 and 31 removed, and a similar jack 37 set with its-lower end engaging the socket 38 of the reciprocating carriage,

and its upper end-engaging the mine roof to securely hold'the carriage inplace, The clutch lever 16 may then vloe moved to'the appropriate position to. cause the feed pinions 1-2 to revolve'in-the reverse direction, thereby drawing the guide frame forward. After the. guide frame has moved to the extreme limit of reciprocation the clutch lever 16 will he returned to the neutral position, the jack 37 removed, and the jacks 29 and 31 reset preparatory to. the next --increi nent of forward movement. I, y

After the entire length of the coal face has been undercut in the manner described, the machine will be returned to the point of be ginning and adjusted in place for the next cutting operation. The conveyor -.will then be adjusted to a new position adjacent the outer side of the machine frame and extending parallel with thecoal'face. -The coal, above the under kerf; .will thenbe dislodgedfrom the body of the veinlby blasting, or other suitable methods, after which the motor 15 will be started and the machine'manipueda abev described i W e he; ec pros eat ng; heme adranQes-t e ter: hain. 18.

will form a 'kerf in the coal body, and will simultaneously engage fragments of dislodged coal upon the mine floor between the coal face and the conveyor and drag-them onto the bottom plate 33 into the path of the scrapper' flights 36, by which said dislodged coal will be propelled longitudinally of the coal face to be disposed :of in any preferred and suitable manner. At the same time the gathering chains 21 with theirmaterial engaging element's 22'Will engage the fragments of coal higher up in the mass of dislodged material, loosening upthe pile, and assisting generally in the transfer of said dislodged material onto the conveyor.

It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction here disclosed, since it is obvious that the machine may be subject to wide variation as to details without departure from'the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is 1. In an apparatus for mining coal, the combination with an elongated frame extending perpendicular to a coal face and movable longitudinally thereof, a cutter chain carriedby said guide frame adapted to engage the coal body to form a kerf therein and to simultaneously move, previously disrupted material longitudinally of said guide frame, an elongated conveyor extending parallel to the path of movement of said guide frame adapted to receive said loose material, an auxiliary frame positioned adjacent said guide frame and movable therewith, and continuously moving devices carried by said auxiliary frame adapted to co-operate with said cutter chainto movesaid material as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with,- a carriage movable along and in front of a coal face, of cutting devices carried by said carriage adapted to form a ke'rf in the coal body and to simultaneously move'previou'sly disrupted material from'the path of'travel of said carriage, and a conveyor positioned adjacent said path of travel'adapted to receive said material as andfor the purpose, set forth. V

In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a carriage movable along and in front of a coal face, of a frame carried by said carriage, a cutter chain adapted .totravel in guideways of said carriage to form a kerf in the coal body and to simultaneously move previously disrupted material. from the path of travelof said carriage, and a conveyor positionedadj acent said path oftraveladapted to receive said material as and for the purpose set forth- 4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a carriage movable along a coal face, of a horizontally extending frame positioned infront of said carriage and extending laterally therefrom, a cutter chain carried by said frame adapted to engage the coal body to form a lrcrf therein and to simultaneously move previously disrupted. material from the path of advance of said carria 'e, said path of travel adapted to receive said material as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a carriage movable along a coal face, of cutting devices carried by said carriage adapted to form a kerf ina coal body and to simultaneously move'previously disrupted material from the path of advance of said carriage, a conveyor positioned adjacent said path of travel adapted to receive said material, and supplemental material moving devices traveling away from the coal body adapted to cooperate with the said cutting devices to move loose material onto said conveyor as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a carriage movable along a coal face, of a horizontally extending frame positioned in front of said carriage and laterally projecting therefrom, a cutter chain carried by said frame and adapted to engage the coal body to form akerf therein and to simultaneously move loose material from the path of travel of said carriage, a conveyor positioned adjacent said path of travel adapted to receive said material, an auxiliary frame extending transversely of said carriage adjacent said cutter frame and an endless chain carried by said auxiliary frame having material engaging elements adapted to cooperate with said cutter chain to move loose material onto said conveyor as and for the purpose set forth.

7 In a machine of the class described,the combination with a guide frame adapted to be anchored adjacent a coal face, of a carriage reciprocable in said guide frame, cutting mechanism carried by said carriage extending transversely thereof and laterally therefrom adapted to form a kerf in the coal body and to simultaneously remove dislodged materialfrom the path of reciprocation of said carriage.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a guide frame adapted to be anchored adjacent a coal face, of a carriage reciprocable in said guide frame, cutting mechanism carried by said carriage extending transversely thereof and laterally therefrom adapted to form a kerf in the coal body and to simultaneously remove dislodged material from the path of reciprocation of said carriage, and devices. auxiliary to said cutting mechanism adapted to cooperate therewith forthe removal of said dislodged material.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a guide frame adapted to and aconveyor positioned adjacent be anchored adjacent a coal face, of a carriage reciprocable in 'said guide frame, a

horizontally disposed cutter frame carried by said carriage and extending transversely thereof and laterally therefrom, an endless .chain adapted to travel in guideways of said cutter frame having cutter. bits adapted to engage the coal body to form a kerf therein and to simultaneously remove loose material from the path of reciprocation ofsaid carriage. i

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a guide frame adapted to be anchored adjacent a coal face, of a carriage re'ciprocable in said guide frame, a horizontally disposed cutter framecarried by said carriage extending transversely thereofand laterally therefrom, an endless chain adapted to travel in guideways of said cutter frame having cutter bits adapted to engage the coal body to form a kerf therein and to simultaneously remove loose material from the path of reciprocation ,of said carriage, an auxiliary frame carried by said carriage and extending transversely parallel to said cutter frame, an endless chain adapted to travel in guideways of said auxiliary frame, and material engaging elements carried bysaid last mentioned chain adapted tocooperate with said cutter bits. to remove said, material forth. I

11. Apparatus of'theclass described, comprising a cutting tool, a support for said tool traversable along and' in front of a coal face, said tool being adapted to forma kerf in a coal face upon the traverse of said support and simultaneously to remove broken down coal from the path of advance of said sup- I ort.- v 12. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a cutting tool, a support for said as and for the purpose set tool, traversable along and in front of a coal face, said toolbeing adapted to form a kerf in a coal face upon the traverse of said sup port and simultaneously to remove broken down coal from'the' path of advance of said support, and mechanism carried by saidsupport and working in front of the coalface for aiding in such removal.v v 13. Incombinatiomapparatus of'the class described, comprising a cutting tool, a support for said tool traversable' along and in front of a coal face, said tool being adapted to form a kerf in a coal face upon the traverse of said support and-simultaneously to re move broken down coal from the. .path of advance of said support and; aconveyor, the removed material being delivered by said tool to said conveyor; r

14 In combination, apparatus of the class descr1bed,compr1s1ng a cutt ng tool, a sup to forma kerf in a coal face upon the trav erse of said support and simultaneously to remove broken down coal from the path of advance of said support, mechanism carried by said support and working in front of the coal face for'aiding in such removal; and a conveyor, the removed material being delivered by said tool and said mechanism to said, conveyor.

15 In combination, apparatus of the class described, comprising a cutting tool, a support for said tool traversable along and in front of a'coal face, said tool being adapted to form a kerf in a coal face upon the traverse of said support and simultaneously to remove broken down coal from the path of advance of said support; and a conveyor extending longitudinally of the path of said support and adapted to receive the removed material. V

16. In combination, apparatus of the class described, comprising a cutting tool, a support for said tool traversable along and in front of a coal face, said tool being adapted to form a kerf in a coal face upon the traverseof'said support and simultaneously to remove broken down coal from the path of advance of. said support, mechanism carried by said support andworking in front of the coal. face for aiding in such removal; and a conveyor extending longitudinally of the path of said support and adapted to. receive the removed material.

' 17 Apparatus of the class described, comprising asupport movable along a coal face, a frame positioned in front of said support and extending horizontally and laterally therefrom, a cutter chain carried by said frame and adapted to engage the coal body to form a kerf therein and simultaneously to move loose material from the path of travel of saidsupport, a second frame extending transversely of ,said support in spaced relation to said first frame, and traveling elements on said second frame adapted to engage loose material for removing it from the path of said. support in cooperationwith said cutter chain.

18. In a machine of the class described, a guide frame element, a carriage element supported thereon, means for blocking either of said elements against movement, a tool projecting from said carriage element, a motor mounted on one of said elements, a rack on the other of said elements, and a gear driven by said motor and engaging said rack, whereby, either of said elements being bldcked, the other is adapted to be advanced relative thereto in the longitudinal direction of said rack.

19. In a machine of the class described, a guide frame element, a carriage element mounted thereon, means for blocking either of said elements against movement, an arm projecting laterally from said carriage element, traveling coal engaging elements on said arm; a motor mounted on said carriage element, drive means between said motor and said traveling elements, a rack on said guide frame element, and a gear driven by said motor and engaging said rack, whereby either of said elements being blocked, the other is adapted to be advanced relative theieto in the longitudinal direction of said rac 20. The method of mining coal which consists in forming a kerf in a coal face, disrupting the kerfed coal, and advancing a substantially rectilinearly extending kerf cutter to kerf the succeeding increment with one rectilinear portion thereof and simultaneously to move to a receiving point the disrupted coal with another rectilinear portion thereof.

21. The method of mining coal which consists in forming a kerf in a coal face, disrupting the kerfed coal, and advancing an elongated cutter arm to kerf the succeeding increment with one end portion thereof and simultaneously to move to a receiving point the disrupted coal with another portion thereof.

22. An apparatus of the class described, comprising a support movable along a coal face, a horizontal kerf cutter working in front of said support and laterally thereof, and means to advance said support to engage the laterally working portion of the cutter with the coal face to kerf it, whereby the front portion is adapted to engage broken down material in the path of said support to remove it therefrom.

23. An apparatus of the class described comprising a support movable along a coal face, a horizontal elongated cutter arm po sitioned in front of said support and extending laterally thereof, and means to advance said support to engage the laterally extending portion of said cutter arm with the coal face to kerf it, whereby the section of said arm in front of said support is adapted to engage broken down material in the path of said support to remove it therefrom.

24. In an apparatus of the class described, a support movable along a coal face, a cutter mechanism projecting laterally 0f the support and adapted to cut a kerf in the coal face when the support is moved therealong, and mechanism operative in front of the support adapted to remove from the path of the latter the disrupted coal of a previously kerfed increment simultaneously with the kerfing operation of the cutting mechanism.

25. In an apparatus of the class described, a support movable along a coal face, a cutter mechanism projecting laterally of the support and adapted to cut a kerf in the coal face when the support is moved therealong,

and a mechanism traveling in front of the support in a direction away from the face adapted to remove from the path of the latter the disrupted coal of a previously kerfed inprogression along a coal face, disrupting the kerfedcoal, and re-traversing the coal face to remove the disrupted coal and to simultaneously kerf the succeeding increment.

27. The method of mining coal which consists in kerfing an increment by longitudinal progression along a coal face, disrupting the kerfed coal and re-traversing the coal face inthe same direction of longitudinal progression to remove the disrupted coal and to simultaneously kerf the succeeding increment.

28. The method of mining coal which consists in underkerfing an increment by longitudinal progression along a coal face, breaking down the kerf coal onto the mine floor and re-traversing the coal face to remove the disrupted coal and to simultaneously underkerf the succeeding increment. I

29. The method of mining coal which consists in underkerfing an increment by longitudinal progression along a coal face, breaking down the kerf coal onto the mine floor and re-traversing the coal face in the same direction of longitudinal progression to remove the disrupted coal and to simultaneously underkerf the succeeding increment. 30. In a mining system, an elongated stationary conveyor spaced from a mine wall, a kerfing machine traversable intermediate the conveyor and the mine wall, and a cutter arm supported on said machine in position to form a kerf in the mine wall during such traversing movement, said machine being traversable again along'the same path subsequent to breaking down the kerfed material to engage the cutter arm with the latter to drag it out longitudinally of the arm and deliver the latter directly to said conveyor.

. 31. In a long wall mining system, a stationary conveyor extending along the mine wall spaced therefrom, a kerfing machine traversable intermediate the conveyor and the wall, and a cutter arm supported on said machine in position to form akerf in the mine wall during such traversing movement, said machine being traversable again along the same path subsequent to breaking down the kerfed material to engage the cutter arm with the latter to drag it out longitudinally of the arm and deliver it directly to said conveyor.

32. In a mining system, an elongated stationary conveyor spaced from a mine wall, a mining machine traversable between the conveyor and wall and having a cutter arm adapted to form a kerf in said wall, said machine being traversable again along the same path and having other arms adapted to cooperate with said first arm in low-lying superposed planes .to drag out the kerfed material,subsequent to its-breaking down, and 1 deliver it to said conveyor.

f 33. .In a mining system, a mining machine movable along a mine wall, an elongated horizontal kerf cutter supported on said machine in position to form a kerf in the mine 1 wall at the mine floor during such movement, said machine being movable again along the same path to engage said kerf cutter with 1 the kerfed material subsequent to its breakingi down to drag it out along the mine floor, and an elongated stationary conveyor disposed parallel to the mine face adjacent the path of movement of said machine and adapted to receive the dragged out material at the mine floor and convey it away. 34. Ina mining system, a mining machine movable along a mine face, anelongated horizontal kerf cutter supported by and projecting from said machine at'a cutting angle to the line of movement thereof to form a kerf in the mine wall at the mine floor during movement of the machine, said machine being movable .again along the same path-to engagethe kerf cutter with the kerfed ma- .terial subsequent to its breaking down to drag it out along the mine floorpsaid kerf cutter having a portion eiiectiveto move such material across the path of travel of the machine to the outer side thereof, and an elon gated stationary conveyor disposed parallel to the mine'wall adjacent the path: of movement of said machine and adapted to receive the dragged out material at the mine floor and convey it away.

v 35. In amining system, a mining machine movable along a mining wall, an elongated horizontal kerf cutter supported on said ma 7 chine in position to form a kerf in the mine wall atthe mine floor during suchmo vement, said machine being movable again along the same path to engage said kerf cutter with the kerfed material subsequent to its breaking down to drag it out along the mine floor, and an elongated stationary conveyor disposed parallel to the mine face adjacent the path of movement of said machine, said conveyor including a bottom te resting on the mine floor and having an unobstructed lateral edge facedtoward thepath of the machine, whereby the plate is adapted to directly receive the dragged out material.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 7 

